Leathernecks defeated by Drake and Creighton

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois men's tennis team was defeated by Creighton, 6-1, and Drake, 7-0, in weekend matches.

In Omaha, Neb., junior Alejandro Buceta earned Western's only point as he defeated Creighton's Sean Mathison with scores of 6-3 and 7-6 (5) at the No. 6 singles flight. Junior Jeff Cote took the second set from Billy Paluch in No. 1 singles play, but ultimately fell in three, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-5. Sophomore Mandela Shepard went to three sets at No. 3 singles with Gabe Nagy, but was defeated 6-3, 3-6 and 6-0.

“We battled hard with Creighton - we just didn't get the job done,” Western Illinois head coach Michael Hunt said. “I think they are a little more of an indoor team than we are, but we played indoors, so you just have to work harder and find ways to win. We didn't do enough of that.”

In doubles play, Patrick Hammers and James McGuire came closest to a win as they fell 9-8 (2) to Nagy and Kyle Obermeier at the No. 2 position. Shepard and Dino Ilecic fell to Ryan Norman and Connor Macey, 8-4, at No. 3 doubles.

“I'm not sure if our current doubles lineup is working. The coaches are going to have step back this week and take a look at that,” Hunt said. “Dino (Ilecic) and Dela (Shepard) are playing pretty well, but they still are just lacking a little experience. Our other two teams have a lot of experience. They need to start getting some things figured out.”

Buceta was the only Western Illinois player to go into three sets at the No. 6 singles spot in Sunday's competition at Drake. Buceta was defeated by Jean Erasmus by scores of 3-6, 6-2 and 1-0 (4). Hammers fell to the Bulldogs' Jonathan Hadash in No. 5 singles play, 7-5 and 6-1. Drake won the doubles point as its pairs defeated the Leathernecks at each position.

“We need to keep working hard for the next few weeks and hope that we can get outdoors soon,” Hunt said. “I think we still have the team to match up well with our Summit League opponents. We just need to stay positive and keep our focus on improving each day and week of the season.”

Western Illinois resumes road competition at North Central, March 13 at 7 p.m., and at Wisconsin, March 14 at 3 p.m.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Mandela Shepard: PLAYER; Sophomore

Patrick Hammers: PLAYER; Sophomore

Jeff Cote: PLAYER; Junior

Alejandro Buceta: PLAYER; Junior

James McGuire: PLAYER; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Mandela Shepard
: Sophomore
: PLAYER

Patrick Hammers
: Sophomore
: PLAYER

Jeff Cote
: Junior
: PLAYER

Alejandro Buceta
: Junior
: PLAYER

James McGuire
: 6' 1"; Senior
: PLAYER